Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to officially establish Indigenous Peoples Day, observed annually on the second Monday in October. It directs the governor to issue a yearly proclamation recommending that schools and communities hold appropriate exercises to honor Indigenous history, cultures, and resilience. The legislation specifically requires these observances to acknowledge the history of genocide and discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples while celebrating their continued existence. Directly affecting the state's executive branch and public institutions, the bill formalizes a day of recognition and education within the state calendar.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts' Open Meeting Law to allow public officials to join meetings remotely via video or audio technology. It grants members the ability to vote and count toward a quorum while participating from outside the physical meeting location, provided all participants can clearly hear one another. The legislation also requires public bodies to offer free, accessible ways for citizens to follow these virtual proceedings, such as through internet streaming or telephone lines, and mandates that meeting documents be available to the public. Additionally, the law ensures that individuals who normally have the right to appear before a public body can do so remotely, and it directs municipal executives to create specific guidelines for implementing these remote participation rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce poverty in Massachusetts by expanding the state Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child and Family Tax Credit. It increases the percentage of the federal credit that residents can claim and raises the base credit amount to $600 for eligible households, including those with disabled members or multiple children. The legislation also requires the state to provide multilingual information and posters to help low-income families and employers understand these new tax benefits.

By Representative Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2860) of Kay Khan, Samantha Montaño and Natalie M. Higgins for legislation to provide for credit against taxes for the costs of certain advertising campaigns that feature digitally unaltered images of human models. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit to help low- and moderate-income families stabilize their finances. It allows more people to qualify by lowering the age requirement for adults from 25 to 18 and including students who are at least half-time enrolled in higher education programs. The legislation also increases the maximum income limit to $75,000 and adjusts it annually for inflation, while raising the credit amount for families with more than three children. Additionally, the bill modifies how the credit is phased out for higher earners, ensuring a broader range of working individuals can receive financial support.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts state law to require most public meetings to be held as hybrid events, allowing citizens to attend both in person and online. It mandates that meeting notices be posted at least 48 hours in advance on official websites and in public buildings, including details on how to join remotely. The legislation defines hybrid meetings as those conducted simultaneously in a physical location and via internet technology, while also establishing specific rules for emergency situations and hardship waivers.

By Representatives Decker of Cambridge and Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2762) of Marjorie C. Decker, Andres X. Vargas and others relative to the earned income tax credit. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a moratorium on the construction and expansion of jails and prisons in Massachusetts. It directly affects state and public agencies by prohibiting them from building new facilities, increasing the capacity of existing ones, or converting other buildings for incarceration purposes. The law also restricts renovations and repairs that would result in increased bed counts, while still allowing necessary maintenance and code compliance work. These restrictions will remain in effect for five years after the bill takes force.

May 16, 2024 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1246) of Cindy F. Friedman, Rebecca L. Rausch and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1994) of Kay Khan, Samantha Montaño and Rebecca L. Rausch relative to inpatient mental health care treatment, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2785).

Senate, June 13, 2024The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1979) of Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis, Michael J. Barrett, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a jail and prison construction moratorium, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2821).